• printer friendly
• mail this article
• iPod format
• digg

Photo

Photo

  Photos by MINDY ROSS/Daily Bruin Senior Staff B-Real and his group Cypress Hill headlined the self-titled Third Annual Smokeout on Oct. 7 at the National Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino.

By Anthony Quinonez

Daily Bruin Contributor

Forget the corny reality-based TV shows – B-Real is the real survivor.

In a genre where longevity is the exception, the Cypress Hill frontman has managed to carve out a niche as one of the most successful MCs of the last decade. The reasons for this are simple.

“We’ve been successful because we stick with our formula,” B-Real said in a recent telephone interview. “We have good chemistry and we make good quality music. We appreciate our fans and we’re able to entertain them with a good live show.”

Its live shows have earned Cypress Hill a reputation as one of the hardest working rap groups today. Veterans of both Lollapalooza and Woodstock, the group is constantly touring, appearing with a variety of other artists and in front of diverse crowds.

B-Real headlines the Dragon Festival, in celebration of Chinese New Year, this Saturday at the National Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino. Other hip-hop acts scheduled include the Jungle Brothers, GZA and the Beatnuts. Rock groups Linkin Park, Taproot and the Kottonmouth Kings will also perform.

B-Real has plenty of experience with the rock/rap concept. Over the years, Cypress Hill has been one of the most influential groups in the genre, successfully mixing hard rock and hip-hop – a concept established by Run DMC and Public Enemy.

Cypress Hill gained notoriety for its mixing of the two genres on the “Judgment Night” soundtrack, which matched Cypress and other top hip-hop acts with the likes of Pearl Jam, Sonic Youth and Slayer.

  B-Real, possible replacement frontman for Rage Against the Machine, is headlining the Dragon Festival in San Bernardino this Saturday. Fans can expect more of this rock/rap fusion from B-Real in the future. Along with another Cypress Hill album scheduled for release later this year, the rapper is also forming his own group, Cush, which blends heavy metal and hip hop.

“It’s heavier than most (music) out there right now,” B-Real said.

The rapper took time to address the rumors that he (along with Chuck D of Public Enemy) is one of the candidates to replace Zach de la Rocha, who recently left Rage Against The Machine.

“It’s a possibility,” B-Real said. “Its up to Brad, Tim and Tom (of Rage), and if they feel I’m the right man for the job then I’m ready to go. If not, it’s all good too I have a lot of other stuff going on. But it would be an honor.”

As a 10-year veteran of the hip-hop genre, B-Real has seen groups and fads come and go.

“One day you’re the next best thing and the next you’re broke like MC Hammer,” he said, explaining his feelings about hip-hop today.

“There’s a lot of ‘bling bling’ shit going on, making the whole genre seem materialistic,” he said. “But I believe that’s a phase and that it will go away, leaving room for artists with deep content and really good music that people want to hear.”

B-Real also sees the positive sides of hip hop on the whole, and recognizes the ambitious achievements of some of today’s MCs.

“Hip Hop is constantly growing, and that’s a good thing,” he said. “One of the best albums to come out as far as hip hop is concerned is the recent OutKast album (“Stankonia”). I like them because they’re not afraid to do what they want to do. That’s what I’m about and I think that’s how hip-hop will continue to grow”

This kind of growth and change is something B-Real is familiar with. Cypress Hill released two versions of a song as singles off its recent “Skull and Bones” album – “Rap Superstar” for the hip hop stations and “Rock Superstar” for the alternative format – in which B-Real lets young artists know that the music industry isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

If anyone is fit to tell newcomers a thing or two about the music industry, it is B-Real. With 10 years of hip-hop experience and 12 million albums sold, he definitely has the know-how.

His recipe for success is simple. Focus on the music, put on a good live show, and don’t sell the audience short.

“We’re trying to bring an interesting show and a different experience to people,” B-Real said. “It’s all about entertaining the people”.

MUSIC: B-Real will be performing at the First Annual Dragon Festival this Saturday at the National Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino. For tickets or info call (626) 279-2300 or go the the Dragon Festival Web site at www.dragonfestival.net.